Heart of Pains

Chapter Fourteen

Hannah:

Damn, I'm so fucking wet right now. This attraction I feel, why does it have to be Damien? Why him? Can't it be someone else?

My phone rang suddenly, snapping me out of my arousal, and I recognized the caller ID. Owen. I quickly answered the phone.

"Hello, Hannah Spike speaking." My voice was laced with anticipation and frustration.

"Hey, Han, it's Owen. You need to come to Australia," the voice on the other end said.

"Is there something I should be worried about, Owen?" I interrupted.

"No, it's just some workers causing trouble," he replied. I rolled my eyes.

"Then you fire them, Owen. I put you in charge, so handle it. If they misbehave, you know what to do," I said, my anger evident.

"I'm sorry, Hannah. I just thought you'd want to handle it," Owen responded timidly.

"No, I don't. Now, deal with it," I snapped, ending the call. I then called Annabella Wilde, a girl I found for Dean to try to enter into a relationship with.

"Annabella Wilde, this is Hannah Spike speaking. Now, don't ever hurt Dean. I love him, but my loyalty lies elsewhere. So, you better make him yours within three months. Understood?" I said calmly, making sure my instructions hit home.

"Yes, my queen," came the obedient reply.

I hung up the phone and sighed.

God, I hope my plan works, or I'll go crazy.

I grabbed my things from the bed, and walked outside, closing the bedroom door behind me.

Lost in my thoughts, I started going through my emails as I made my way to the kitchen, or should I say leaped to the kitchen. Don't worry, this is the story of my life. I'm trapped in each chapter, unable to escape. What I need right now is a cup of coffee, and maybe a good fuck, but I'll scratch that part.

"Hannah, are you alright?" Damien's voice interrupted my thoughts as I spun around to see him standing at the door. I glanced around, realizing I had been lost in my own world for a while, my coffee now cold.

"I'm alright," I replied, emptying my mug into the sink and absentmindedly washing it.

I turned around to find my husband still watching my every move. I furrowed my brow in question, but he simply shrugged his shoulders and walked away. How weird. I hope he doesn't lose his fight because I'm already looking forward to it.

I checked the cabinets and fridge to prepare lunch. I was starving and didn't want to settle for reheating leftovers. I wanted something fresh. I found all the ingredients to make Gnocchi and began preparing it while rapping along to the music playing on the stereo. It wasn't classical music; I prefer rap. Classical music feels dull.

In no time, I was twerking to the chorus. I abruptly stopped and changed the music to "Wildest Dreams" by Taylor Swift as I boiled water. I felt a strange sensation as if someone was watching me. And indeed, my husband was watching me intently.

"Damien, you know that staring at me like that is creepy, right?" I said, refocusing on my cooking. He ignored my question and approached me.

"Do you need any help?" he asked. I shook my head, smiling faintly.

"Nah, I'm cool. I'm preparing Gnocchi. Want me to save some for you?" I replied, using my hair to hide my expression.

"Are you asking me out?" he said, sounding cool and sophisticated.

"No, absolutely not. Why the hell would you think that? I was thinking you'd accuse me of trying to poison you, not ask you out," I blurted out, feeling flustered. He gave me what was supposed to look like a charming grin and crossed his arms.

"I'm going to have dinner with you and be your date at the upcoming Ambassador's gala. Now, will you return the favor and let me help you?" he replied, his tone suggesting he was doing me a favor.

"I'm all done with lunch. But you can help me set the table. There, I said it. Are you satisfied?" I said, slightly annoyed.

He chuckled and replied, "Greatly." Well, this day is turning out just great.

Damien's POV

"Wow, this is delicious. Where did you learn how to cook?" I asked, helping myself to more Gnocchi.

It was incredibly tasty. My taste buds were singing hallelujah.

"Seriously, Mr. Sebastian, what's gotten into you? Are you suffering from amnesia? You just complimented my dish when you can't even bear to be in the same room with me without calling me horrible names. What's going on?" Hannah questioned, seeking an explanation.

I held up a placating hand and gave her a kind look.

"Relax. I mean, you're not a gold digger or a slut. I'm tired of fighting you and this attraction between us. I want a normal, healthy relationship as a man and a woman, not constantly trying to tear each other apart. That approach hasn't gotten us anywhere," I pleaded, dropping my tough exterior, and opting for a more boyish charm.

But I forgot, this is my wife we're talking about. I needed to convince her. I was exhausted from fighting this attraction, and I don't think she was anything like my ex. Hannah laughed as if I had told her about the funniest joke in the world. Can you imagine that?

"Wait, are you laughing at me or at what I just finished telling you?" I asked, bewildered.

"No, no, Damien. I'm not laughing at you. I'm sorry about that. But you're just so damn funny. Maybe I should call a doctor because your behavior is getting out of hand," she said, trying to contain her amusement.

I shook my head.

"No, I mean every single word. For example, which lie should we tell my family at the gala at my house next week about how we fell in love before getting married?" I asked.

"Nice point. I agree with you. We'll be civil with each other in public, but once we're alone, we'll go our separate ways. I'm a busy woman with kids, a movie to act in, and so much more. I don't need a man interfering in my life," she said firmly.

But all I heard was "kids"... she fucking has children. My eyes bulged in shock.

"You have kids?!" I tried not to yell, but my voice betrayed my shock.

Hannah glared at me.

"Stop yelling. I was raped during one of our world tours in Italy. It was by an unknown man when I was incredibly drunk. I stumbled into an alley to relieve myself and slipped in and out of consciousness. I barely remember what happened. A month later, I realized I was pregnant. Luckily, the rapist was clean, and I now have two wonderful children named Leo and Mariel. Nobody knew except my grandparents, the nanny, Owen, and now you," she explained.

Wow, she was raped. That's sad.

"I need to go to my room. I'll see you later," I said, standing up and walking out of the kitchen to go upstairs to my bedroom without waiting for her reply.

It was time to process this revelation. She was raped. I'm starting to realize that there's a deeper story behind Hannah, a puzzle I need to solve. But why the hell am I running away? I turned on my heel and came back to the kitchen table.

"I've changed my mind," I said and sat down. "I want to meet your kids."

Hi guys, hope you are enjoying the story! Chapter fourteen is here. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts in the comment section.